Whiffletree-hook



(No Model.)

0. E. JONES. WHIPFLETREE HOOK.

No. 490,023. Patented Jan. 17, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. JONES, OF WHEATLAND, MISSOURI.

WHlFFLETREE-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 490,023, dated January 17, 1893.

Application filed September 22,1892. Serial No. 446,598- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. J ones, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVheatland, in the county of Hickory and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Whiffietree-Hook, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to whiffletree hooks, and has for its object to provide an automatically operating fastening in connection with the hook for retaining the cock-eye on the end of the trace in connection therewith, and with this object in view the invention consists of the construction and arrangement of the parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawingsz-Figure l is a perspective View of a portion of a whiffletree and a trace, showing the improved device in connection therewith. Fig. 2 isa similar view of the improved device detached and shown on a larger scale.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate like parts in both the figures of the drawings. 1

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a whiflietree of any preferred form of construction, on the end of which is slipped a thilnble or sleeve 2, having on the outer end thereof a hook 3,which extends rearward over said end and at a suitable distance from the latter. The hook 3 has the terminating end thereof flared outwardly from an inward depression 4, and secured to the outer end of the thimble or sleeve 2, adjacent to the base of the book 3, is the forward end of a flat or plate spring 5, which is curved similarly to the said hook 3 and arranged in reverse position and having the rear portion thereof normally bearing against the inner depression of the said hook. The said fiat or plate spring 5 extends slightly beyond theinward depression 4: of the hook 3 and is'outwardly flared, as at 6, to form with the outwardly-flared portion of the said hook 3 an entrance mouth. The

forward end of the spring 5 is inserted in a recess 7 in the end of the sleeve 2 and secured by a single bolt or rivet 8, and thereby prevented from turning or becoming misplaced,

and in rear of the point of fastening of the normal closed position and provides a rear closed portion in connection with the hook 3, which prevents disengagement, accidentally, of the cock-eye. In detaching the cock-eye 7, it can be easily passed out between the rear portion of the spring and the hook by forcing the spring inward in the same manner in which the cock-eye was inserted in the hook.

It will be understood that the spring 5 is formed of stiff material in order to always sustain a normal closed position against the hook, and being readily and easily applied, it forms a useful and positively-acting improvement in this class of devices.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:-

In combination with a whitlietree of asleeve mounted thereon and having a recess in its outer end, and a hook flared outwardly at its free end, aflat spring having a free end bearing against the rear portion of said hook and normally closing the hook and outwardly flared at 6 to form, with the outwardly-flared portion of the hook, an entrance mouth, the front end of said spring being mounted in the recess in the said sleeve and held in position by a single fastening to thereby prevent the spring from turning or becoming displaced, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. JONES.

Witnesses:

S. E. MAI-:sroN, ROY MANSFIELD. 

